QUIET PLEASE

“I love that you’re back guys.” I said as I was looking out my front window at the dozens of robins hopping around my front yard. “But could you not start singing until at least dawn?”

My son Alex came into the room. “Who are you talking to?” He asked as he came to stand next to me.

I pointed my tea cup toward the window. “Them.” I said as I brought the cup to my mouth to take a sip. “They got me up at 4:30 this morning.”

We watched as each robin scurried across the lawn in different directions, abruptly stopping and tilting their heads listening for something that only they could hear.

“The way they move I can never decided if they’re in a game of red-light-green-light or freeze tag.” I said as I took another sip of tea.

Alex laughed. “I’m pretty sure the worms underground are hoping the robins are playing games and not hunting for them!”

I thought about that for a moment. “You know you’re right.”

Alex looked confused. “I’m right about what?”

“About them hunting for worms. I guess there’s a reason for the saying that ‘the early bird gets the worm’.” I looked over Alex raising my eyebrows. “Worms are more active from dusk to dawn so….” I pointed out to the robins. “They have to be up pretty early to be able to find some breakfast.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I guess I can’t be too mad at them for getting me up so early.”

Alex nodded his head. “Okay.” He patted me on the shoulder before heading to the kitchen to make his coffee. “I’m glad you figured that out.” He called over his shoulder.

I continued to watch the birds out the front window when a rabbit hopped over from the neighbors yard.

While the rabbit was munching on some clover I noticed one of the robins hop closer to the rabbit, it’s head tilting to the side. Moments later, the robin stabbed its beak into the ground, right next to the rabbits foot and came up with a worm. A quick head flip had the worm disappear down the robins throat in less then a second.

“Okay, that’s enough of that.” I sighed as I headed for the kitchen.

I put my teacup down and went over to the butcher block where a plate of vegetables and fruit were in a bowl. Picking up an avocado I gave it a slight squeeze. “This one’s ready.” I said going to the silverware drawer to get a knife.

“Would you like some avocado toast?” I asked as I began to cut into the avocado.

“Are you sure it’s not too early?” Alex asked as he looked at the clock on the stove. “It’s only

5:30?”

“Hey, I’ve been up for an hour!” I said moving to the cabinet with the bread. “The early bird might get the worm but the first one to the ripe avocado gets the avocado toast!”

WHAT TIME IS IT?

I was laying in bed, reading my book, when I finally got the wave of exhaustion washing over me that signaled I was ready to fall asleep. “That’s enough of that.” I said as I closed my book, put it on the nightstand then clicked off my bedside light.

I was asleep within moments.

What felt like hours later I woke up. Giving a big stretch, thinking it was close to morning I looked around the room feeling a bit confused. It seemed too dark to be close to my alarm going off.

That’s when I rolled over and looked at my clock. “Midnight.” I sighed. “That’s just great.” I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. “Okay, if I fall back asleep right this second I can get six more hours of sleep.” I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and hoped sleep would come quickly.

It seemed several hours later I was awake again. “Okay, that’s better.” I thought as I stretched my arms before noticing that the room still looked too dark for me to be getting up.

Rolling over again to look at the clock and I saw it was 2:00 AM. “Oh, come on.” I moaned, rolling onto my back again. Why was I waking up every two hours? “So, if I go back to sleep right now I’ll get 4 more hours.” I thought as I closed my eyes, trying to stop whatever racing thoughts were popping up trying to stop me from being able to continue sleeping.

Again, it seemed that several hours had passed when I was awake again. “This better be it.” I said as I looked over at my clock. It was 5:00 AM. “Close enough.” I sighed as I rolled out of bed, looked over at my husband Steven who was fast asleep, and headed for the bathroom.

Making sure the door was closed before turning on the light I looked in the mirror noticing that with a little make-up I could hopefully cover up the dark circles under my eyes.

Splashing some cold water on my face, before grabbing a towel to pat my face dry, I looked in the mirror again. “Good enough.” I sighed as I switched off the light before opening the door.

Once in the kitchen I put water in the kettle, clicking the switch to begin heating it. With roughly an hour before sunrise, I went into the living room, sat on the couch and watched several deer nibbling on the grass in my neighbor’s yard.

That’s when my son Alex came out of his room.

“Morning.” I said as I pointed to the kitchen. “I put enough water in the kettle for your coffee.”

“Thanks.” He said rubbing his eyes. “How’d you sleep?” He asked.

“Even though I felt like I got a good nights sleep I was up every few hours.” I sighed.

“How do you know that?” He asked.

I was confused. “Because I looked at the clock.”

“Oh, I never look at the clock at night.” He said as he went into the kitchen to get his coffee mug.

“Wait.” I got up from the couch and followed him to the kitchen. “How can you NOT look at the clock when you wake up in the middle of the night?” I asked as I got my cup out of the cabinet and got a tea bag out of the box. “How would you know how many hours you’d need to get a good nights sleep?”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve just trained myself not to look.” He shrugged his shoulders again. “Worrying about how many more hours I’d need would only stress me out if I did.”

I stood there thinking about what he said. I actually felt like I’d gotten enough sleep but the worry about waking up every few hours was the reason I was questioning how I felt.

Breaking into my thoughts Alex asked. “Do you want me to pour the water in your cup?” He was holding up the kettle.

“Please.” I said pushing my cup closer to him on the counter-top. “And to answer your question about how I slept?” I looked over at him and smiled. “Now, I’m going to say pretty good.”

SCENT OF SPRING

I stepped out the front door, heading out for work, when I stopped and inhaled. “Oh my gosh! Do you smell that?” I asked my son Alex who had opened the front door for me.

Alex inhaled. “I don’t smell anything.”

I stepped further out on the porch. “Come out here.” I said as I inhaled again. “You have to be able to smell it now!”

Alex stepped out and stood next to me. “Is that the lilac bush?” He asked.

“It sure is!” I gave a big sigh. “Don’t you just love that smell!”

Alex saw the lilac bush at the end of the driveway. “I can’t believe you can smell that from so far away. It’s got to be at least 30 yards from here!”

“I love all the different flowering plants in spring!” I looked over at Alex. “When I was driving to work yesterday I went past a section of pine trees covered in wisteria vines and the wisteria’s in full bloom, too!” I sighed. “There’s another smell I love.”

Thinking of that smell triggered a memory. “You know where I saw an entire home covered in wisteria?”

Alex shook his head. “No. Where?”

“It was Washington Irving’s estate on the Hudson River in New York.” I smiled as I thought about the estate he called Sunnyside. “He’s the one who wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”

Alex nodded his head as I adjusted my work bag on my shoulder while holding my lunch bag in the other. “The vines covered the entire cottage with those beautiful purple flowers hanging in clusters like grapes.”

“I remember when you went up there with Aunt Donna.” He gently swatted a bee that was buzzing by his head.

“It was such a beautiful estate.” I sighed again. “I love everything about spring!” I looked over at my car with a thin layer of light green pollen on the windshield. “Well, maybe not everything.”

Alex looked at his watch. “Aren’t you going to be late for work?” He reminded me.

“I’ve got plenty of time.” I said as I started to walk down the front step but stopped and turned around. “You know what I’m going to do before I go into work?”

Alex laughed. “No. What?”

“I’m going to pull up by the wisteria, roll down my window, and see if I can’t smell them from the roadside.”

“That sounds like a plan.” Alex laughed again as he stepped towards the front door. “But what if you can’t smell them from the car?”

“Well, then I’ll just have to get out of the car and get closer to them, won’t I?”

I walked over to my car, opened the back door, and tossed my bags in before walking over to the lilac bush, gently holding one of the blooms in the palm of my hand and inhaling deeply.

Lost in their scent I hadn’t realized how much time had passed until Alex opened the front door.

“You’re still here?” He called. “You’re going to be late.”

“Whoops.” I headed for the car as I looked at my watch. “I’m still good.” I said as I opened the drivers side door.

“Maybe you should wait until your drive home before you stop for the wisteria.”

“It’s only two minutes from here.” I said as I started the car and flicked the lever that turned on the windshield spray and wipers.

Just then my phone buzzed. I picked it up to see a message from Alex. “I’ll call you in five minutes so you’re not late for work.” It said.

I looked through my windshield at Alex standing at the front steps holding up his phone.

I quickly typed back. ‘You’re the best!’ and added a heart emoji for good measure before putting the car in reverse and pulling out of the driveway.

SIDE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

My friend Rosanne and I are book lovers so we decided we were going to visit independent bookstores throughout New Jersey. It was only our second trip out when we thought we’d keep it local, visiting a few bookstores in the neighboring town of Asbury Park.

Driving around town, looking for a parking space, I couldn’t help but see how much the town had changed.

“I used to work on Cookman Avenue.” I explained to Rosanne as we circled the block again. “I was just out of high school and got a job as a secretary for Dr. Liebesman. He was an ophthalmologist.” I scanned the buildings looking for the old office. “Everything certainly has changed. When I worked here everything was in decline.”

I pointed to where the old Woolworth’s had been. “There was the sweetest man that used to sell the Asbury Park Press right out front.” I thought about it for a moment, trying to recall his name. “Captain Johnny Richardson!” I cried so proud of the fact that I’d remembered his name. “He’d say hello to everyone who passed by.”

We’d finally found a parking spot and as we were headed to our first stop I couldn’t help but feel excited to see that the town was on the upswing from when I’d worked there all those years ago.

We stopped in front of the Asbury Book Cooperative. “Our first stop.” I said as I opened the door for Rosanne.

As we were browsing I stopped at the counter to ask if they stocked any local writers. She directed me to a section of the store where I found an autographed copy of a book called Greetings from Asbury Park by Luigina Vecchione.

I held the book up for Rosanne to see. “I found my local author!”

After a quick lunch we were back out on the street. We stopped to look in the window of a bookstore called Paranormal Books and Curiosities.

“I don’t know about this one.” Rosanne said pointing to the snow globe with a skull in it, next to the Ouija board and tarot cards.

“It’s still an independent bookstore.” I reminded her as I stood back on the sidewalk and looked again. “You know, I think this used to be Dr. Liebesman’s office.” I looked over at Rosanne shaking my head laughing. “This is where I used to work!”

“Seriously?”

I took out my phone and started to Google. “621 Cookman Avenue Asbury Park.” I said as I typed.

Sure enough a few seconds later it popped up that it had been his address. “Well, now we have to go in.”

Walking inside I couldn’t believe all the renovations they had done. I pointed to a table holding several books. “That’s where my desk was.”

I began walking further into the store. I stood in front of a floor to ceiling bookshelf. “That’s strange. There was a door here that led up to the attic.”

Just then the bookshelf began to move and a woman came out from behind it. I looked in and could see they’d removed the stairs and installed a bathroom. “Well, that’s pretty clever.”

As I moved further into the store, to where the Doctors desk used to be, now stood a glass encased fortune teller named Zoltar.

“Can you take a picture of me with him?” Rosanne asked as she handed me her phone.

“Of course.” I began lining up the shot.

As Rosanne went to stand next to him when he suddenly began to talk to her causing her to jump. “I wasn’t expecting that!” She cried as I quickly took the picture and handed her back her phone.

“I’m not surprised at all.” I laughed. “I always thought this place was haunted and it looks like it found the perfect tenants!”

FLYING BACK HOME

I was out on our back porch hanging our hummingbird feeder when my son Alex came out.

“Isn’t it a bit early to be putting that out?” he asked pointing to the feeder.

“Your Dad sent me an article a few days ago from NJ Fish and Wildlife that said our little friends should be arriving in the next couple of weeks.” I adjusted the bright red feeder so that it was nestled just right on its hook. “I just want to make sure we’re ready to welcome them back.”

“Don’t hummingbirds go back to the same area each year?” He asked as he sat down in the rocking chair.

“Yup.” I sat down in the Adirondack chair next to him. “Our two little jerks should be arriving any day now.”

Alex started to laugh. “I wonder why ours fight so much?”

“I know!” I cried. “Neither one of them will let the other get a drink.” Just thinking about it made me laugh. “When one finally does land on the feeder they have to constantly be looking over their shoulder for the other idiot to come zooming in, making them take off.” I looked out over our yard that was just beginning to show signs of spring. Buds were on the trees, daffodils in full bloom, even the chipmunks had come out of hiding and were scurrying around the oak tree. “I love this time of year.” I sighed.

“Yeah, me too.” Alex said as he pointed to a chipmunk. “Do we have any peanuts that we can toss to him?”

I got up from my chair and went into the kitchen to get the bag of peanuts. Coming back out on the porch I reached in the bag and tossed a fistful out into the yard. The movement scared the chipmunk and they ran further into the woods.

“They’ll be back.” I said as I sat back down placing the bag next to my chair. “Now, getting back to the hummingbirds…”

Alex laughed. “Okay.”

“Why are ours so territorial?” I looked over at Alex.

“Aren’t they all territorial?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” I said shaking my head. “I’ve seen videos where a half a dozen hummingbirds are all at the same feeder.” I pointed to our feeder. “I’ve never seen that here. But I’ve seen videos.”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “They’re still pretty funny to watch.”

I nodded my head. “Agreed on that one.”

Just then a house finch landed on the top of our birdhouse. “Oh look!” I pointed over to the birdhouse. “It’s nest hunting!”

We watched as its mate landed next to them, taking turns going into the house.

“Good thing I cleaned that out last fall.” I said to Alex before calling out to the birds. “Welcome back!”

“How do you know it’s the same couple as last year?” He asked.

“Because house finches do the same as hummingbirds.” I stated. “Once they find an area they like they come back.” I looked over at Alex. “Did you know house finches rarely nest in bird houses?”

“Then why do they use our bird house every year?”

I couldn’t help but smile as I pointed to our bird feeders, bird bath, and bird houses. “Because I’m a very good yard hostess.”

Alex laughed. “I guess you are.”

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

It was late afternoon and I was standing in the kitchen with the refrigerator door open, staring inside, when my son Alex came into the room.

“What’s for dinner?” He asked as he went over to the cabinet and took out a box of crackers.

“Good question.” I moved a few things around on the shelves. “I was just in the pantry and didn’t see anything that inspired a meal.” I sighed as I closed the refrigerator door. “Nothing in here either.” I went over to the cabinet he’d just been in and looked around.

After a few moments I closed the cabinet, gave another deep sigh, looked at Alex and shrugged my shoulders. “I’ve got nothing.”

“So, we’ll get take out.” He reasoned.

I shook my head. “No. I have to go to the grocery store anyway. I don’t have any meals planned for next week.” I went to the closet to get my coat. “I think I’ll just go now and see if something looks good for tonight.”

Grabbing my keys and pocketbook I headed for the front door. “Wish me luck!” I called over my shoulder.

My husband Steven came around the corner. “What are we wishing you luck for?” He asked as he came to the door with a look of concern on his face.

“I’m headed to the grocery store with no idea what I’m making for dinner.” I said as I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Why don’t we just get some take out?” He asked.

“I already tried that.” Alex said. “But she seems determined.”

By now I was at the car. “I have to do grocery shopping anyway.” I called. “I’ll think of something.”

As I was driving to the store recipes were going through my head. “Maybe nachos?” Shaking my head. “Steven doesn’t like the spice.” That imaginary recipe card got put back.

“Chicken parm?” But then I remembered I didn’t have any precooked cutlets and I wasn’t going to make that from scratch. So, another imaginary recipe card bit the dust.

“Maybe just a pork cutlet with some sides?” I shook my head. “This is hard to do when you’re not hungry.”

I’d arrived at the grocery store. Once I parked I grabbed a cart and headed right for the meat counter. “Might as well start with the main ingredient.” I said under my breath.

But as I circled the meat selection nothing was screaming, ‘make me!’ loud enough for me to stop. I was on my second lap around the meat counter when I spotted a fellow shopper who had the same look on her face that I was feeling. “Can’t figure out what to make for dinner?” I asked her.

She seemed surprised by my question. “How’d you know?” She laughed.

“Because I’m feeling the same way.” I laughed.

She was standing in front of the Italian sausage when I reached down and picked up a package. “Wait! What if I made this with peppers and onions, mixed in some tortellini and made a side salad?” I looked back at my fellow shopper. “That doesn’t sound terrible, does it?”

She shook her head. “Sounds good to me.”

“Perfect!” I dropped the sausage in my cart. “Thanks for your help.” I called over my shoulder as I headed for the frozen foods to get a bag of tortellini.

“Anytime.” She called back with a laugh.

I couldn’t help but give a sigh of relief as I was back in my this-is-what’s-for-dinner mode once again.

EGGSILANCE

I was standing by our dining room table, a cloth in one hand and a spray bottle of Windex in the other, when my son, Alex, came into the room.

“What are you up to?” He asked.

“It’s that time of year again!” I said as I picked up an alabaster egg, nestled it in the cloth, and gave it a squirt of Windex.

Alex looked over at the bowl in the middle of the dining room table filled with alabaster eggs. He picked up a green marbled one. “I remember these being out on the table every Easter since I was little.” He recalled.

“I’ve been collecting these since before you were even born.” I smiled as I placed the one I’d just cleaned into the bowl and picked up the next one to be cleaned.

Alex shrugged his shoulders as he put the egg down. “Well, I’m glad you like them.”

“You don’t?” I was surprised.

Alex shrugged his shoulders again. “They’re fine, I guess. I really hadn’t given them much thought.”

“Well, I like the marbled looking ones the best.” I placed the next shined egg in the bowl. “Did you know they make these in Italy?”

“Okay.” Alex nodded as he headed to the kitchen.

“Did you know Aunt Lizzy used to work in a card shop that sold these?” I called to him trying to get him interested in the conversation.

“You don’t say.” Alex leaned against the door frame holding a clementine.

“Seriously. It was right by the Shop Rite we go to.” I put the last one back in the bowl and stepped back to admire their shine. “The first time I went to visit her at her store I saw these and fell in love.” I moved the bowl so it was more centered. “That’s when I started this collection.”

“Interesting.” He said as he began to peel the clementine.

“Yup.” I moved one of the eggs in the bowl so that two of the same color weren’t next to each other. “The card store is gone now.” I sighed. “It got replaced with a liquor store.”

“Seriously?” Alex sounded shocked. “You mean to tell me they can make more money selling liquor than alabaster eggs?”

“Hey!” I laughed. “Now you’re making fun of me!”

My husband Steven walked into the room. “What’s so funny?” He asked.

“Ask Mom to tell you the story about her alabaster eggs.” Alex said.

“Don’t.” I laughed as I looked over at Steven shaking my head. “Clearly I just bored your son to death.”

“It wasn’t boring.” He insisted as he held out a section of the fruit to me. “Do you want a piece?”

“Sure.” I took the piece from him. “Thanks.” I said as I popped it into my mouth, still shaking my head but smiling.

Steven looked confused. “What’s the story with the eggs?”

Alex turned and headed back to his room. “They’re from Italy!” He called over his shoulder. “And for some reason people like buying wine instead of alabaster eggs!”

Steven looked even more confused. “What?”

“Never mind.” I laughed as I moved the bowl once again. “I think they’re beautiful!”

NOT IN THE HOUSE

I was in the kitchen, unloading the dishwasher, when I heard a strange noise. I stopped to listen, holding a glass midway to the cabinet.

THWACK, THWACK, THWACK, THWACK. It almost had a rhythmic sound to it.

I placed the glass in the cabinet and went to investigate.

THWACK, THWACK I was getting closer as I headed down the hall towards my son Alex’s bedroom.

Coming around the corner I could see my husband Steven with a pickleball paddle in his hand and the plastic yellow ball landing in the middle of it as he hit it back. I stuck my head in the doorway to see my son Alex hitting a return of the ball.

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” I cried.

“What?” Steven asked as he hit the ball back to Alex.

“Do I really have to say no pickleball in the house?” I honestly couldn’t believe it.

“We’re not really playing.” Alex said as he tapped the ball back to Steven but Steven missed and instead the ball bounced off the television set behind him.

“Whoops.” Steven said picking the ball back up. “That’s a point to you.” He pointed his paddle at Alex.

“Seriously?” I shook my head. “You guys can’t play pickleball in the house!”

“But it’s raining outside and I wanted to try it out.” Steven reasoned as he tapped the ball back to Alex.

“We’re being careful.” Alex reassured me.

“You just hit the T.V.” I reminded him.

“Everything’s fine.” Steven said as he returned the serve. “You worry too much.”

I stood in the doorway watching them. My arms crossed with a don’t-keep-doing-this look on my face.

“Alright.” Steven sighed as he handed the paddle back to Alex. “I guess that’s enough trying it out for now.”

“So do you want to go to the court with me sometime?” Alex asked him as he put the paddles and ball away.

“Sure.” Steven squeezed past me as I was still standing in the doorway. “It sounds like fun.”

Alex looked over at me. “You’re not really mad are you?”

“I wouldn’t say mad.” I admitted. “More surprised.”

Alex looked confused. “Surprised?”

“I mean I expected the impromptu soccer games in the living room when you were a kid.” I began counting on my fingers. “The Nerf wars every Christmas.” Another finger tapped. “Even the occasional game of tag.” I shook my head. “But, two grown men playing pickleball in the house…” I sighed as I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

Alex came over to me, a smile on his face, as he gave me a hug. “Aren’t you glad we’re still being kids at heart?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Sometimes you two drive me nuts.”

Alex gave me a kiss on the top of my head. “You’re welcome.”

THE BEACH IN MARCH

“I can’t believe it’s March and it’s 70 degrees out!” I couldn’t help but smile as I looked over at my son Alex. “We’re heading to the beach to hopefully find some good shells.”

The car windows were down and a warm breeze was blowing in. “This is just what I needed to get me through the rest of this winter.” I pulled up to the curb and parked. “I can already smell the ocean!”

Alex started to laugh. “You know, spring is only a week away.” He reminded me.

“Just because it says it’s spring on the calendar doesn’t mean the weather cooperates.” I climbed out of the car and headed for the beach entrance. “We’ve had plenty of spring snowstorms.”

We passed a few surfers pulling their boards out from the back of their cars. “I guess the word got out that the waves are good.” I whispered to Alex as we had passed another surfer.

We walked the path through the beach dunes. Once we cleared the dunes the ocean stretched before us with its waves crashing against the sand. “Oh man! There’s something about being here.” I said breathing in deeply. “I feel like I need this.”

Alex was already wandering along the shoreline scouting for shells. “What about this one?” He asked holding up a bay scallop.

He handed the shell to me. “I haven’t seen one of these in a long time.” I turned it over. “It’s in perfect condition.” I said before I slipped it in my sweatshirt pocket. “I have a feeling this is going to be a good shell day.”

I picked up an Atlantic surf clam shell. “When I was a kid we used to call these Jersey ashtrays!” I said with a laugh.

Alex pointed to a group of seagulls who were combing the beach as well. “They’re starting their game of food-not-food early, too.”

We scoured the beach for close to a half an hour before my pockets were full of shells. “I think I’m ready to head home.” I said patting my pockets.

Once we were back in the car I unloaded the shells into the cup holders. “Definitely a good beach day.” I said as I started the car.

Driving through town, windows open again, I sighed as I shook my head. “I love seeing all the signs of spring!” I said. “I love that I’m seeing some of the greens of daffodils already popping up. The birds are chirping away. The sun sets later. Tiny buds are already showing up on the trees!” I sighed. “I love it all!”

Turning into our neighborhood my tire hit a pothole the size of a basketball.

“Oh, no!” I cried. “I swear that wasn’t there when we left!” I looked over at Alex. “I hope that didn’t do any damage to the car.”

“Well, potholes are just another sign of spring.” Alex reasoned. “You said you love everything about spring.” He started to laugh.

“Okay, maybe not potholes.” I pulled into our driveway and got out of the car to check the tire.

Alex came over and looked, too. “It seems fine.” He tried to reassure me.

I went back inside the car to get my collection of shells. “I also don’t like the rain, mud, and fluctuating temperatures of spring.” I called over my shoulder.

“So, you don’t love everything about spring.” Alex corrected me as he took the keys from me to unlock the front door.

“Nope, I don’t.” I said following him up the front walk. “I guess I’m just suffering from a case of spring fever.”

YOU’VE GOT THIS PUNCH

“Awww…” I cried out. “He’s making friends!”

“Who’s making friends?” My son Alex asked as he walked into the living room.

I was sitting on the couch with my phone in my hand. “Punch!” I held out my phone to show him the video of a baby macaque monkey holding an orange orangutan stuffed animal was being groomed by an adult monkey. “The other monkey is grooming him.” I couldn’t help but smile as I turned the phone back to face me as I watched the rest of the video.

Suddenly another monkey came up next to them and pushed Punch away. “NO!” I cried as I watched little punch run away, dragging his stuffed orangutan behind him. “They can be so mean to him.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Alex asked as he sat down next to me watching as Punch found a quiet spot behind a rock and cuddled his stuffed animal.

I shook my head. “For some reason his mother rejected him after he was born and the zookeepers gave him the stuffed animal to keep him company.”

Alex looked confused. “Where is this?”

“He’s at a zoo in Japan.” I pulled up another video. “It popped up on my Facebook feed about a week ago and I’ve been following him ever since.” I pulled up one of the first videos I’d watched to show him. In it, older monkeys are seen tossing him around while poor baby Punch is screaming and running to his orangutan stuffy for comfort.

Alex shook his head. “How can you watch that?”

“At first it broke my heart.” I explained. “But, as each day went by, you could see some of the older monkeys begin to accept him into their troop.”

I pulled up a video of one of them holding little Punch. “Like this one.” I couldn’t help but smile. “He’s slowly winning them over.”

Just then, one of the zookeepers came into the enclosure with a bucket of seeds and began tossing them around the enclosure. Punch quickly ran over and jumped on the zookeepers leg, clinging to him as he tossed the food to the other monkeys.

When the bucket was almost empty the zookeeper walked over to Punch’s stuffed animal, sprinkling some food around it, trying to get Punch to stay on the orangutan while he attempted to leave the enclosure.

Punch wasn’t having it. Each time he was placed on the stuffed animal and the zookeeper walked away Punch was right back on his leg clinging to him.

“Oh, come on.” I turned the phone for Alex to see. “Isn’t that adorable?”

Alex shook his head some more. “I don’t know. It seems kind of sad to me.”

“At first it seemed sad to me, too.” I agreed. “But watching him this past week I can’t help but admire just how tenacious this little guy is.” I looked over at Alex and smiled. “He’s giving everyone watching his videos the life lesson where you should never give up.”

Alex laughed. “You’re getting your life lessons from a baby monkey?”

“Hey, I can get a life lesson from just about anything.” I looked back at my phone where Punch was dragging his stuffed animal over behind a rock where he sat on the stuffed animal’s belly and tried to eat his food in peace and quiet.

Moments later an older monkey came over to him and sat next to him while he’s eating. “You’ve got this Punch!” I looked over at Alex. “He’s making friends!”

Alex got up, gave me a kiss on the top of my head before heading to the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re happy for Punch.”

“I really am!” I smiled as the video was almost finished.